Central Missouri dominated the inside game against Rockhurst on the way to a 79-58 victory over the Hawks in the ESU Thanksgiving Classic Friday night at White Auditorium in Emporia, Kansas.

The Mules scored 36 points in the paint, while holding the Hawks to 14 points in the paint. Central Missouri jumped out to a 41-23 halftime lead behind 22 points in the paints.

"That game was out of character for how we have played and practiced the last two weeks," said Rockhurst coach Drew Diener. "We didn't stand for much of anything on both ends of the floor. It's hard to figure why we were so inconsistent tonight; very frustrating."

Quinton Curry led the Hawks with 10 points and six rebounds. Auston Rushing posted 10 points and five rebounds. Alex Hagan added nine points and four rebounds. Connor Evans added a team-high six assists.

Rockhurst hit 38.0 percent on its field goals (19 of 50) and 38.5 percent from behind the 3-point line (10 of 26). Central Missouri made 27 of 52 field goals (51.9 percent) and 8 of 21 3-pointers (38.1 percent).

The Hawks (3-2) play at Emporia State Saturday night.